Dispenser for either a measured or an unmeasured quantity of granular material



Dec. 18, v1951 R, R, LQWRY 2,579,388

ISPENSER FOR EITHER A MEASURED 0R AN UNMEASURED QUANTITY OF GRANUL'AR MATERIAL Filed July 15, 1947 I lNVENTOR www WZW /Qd ATTORN EYS r v Patented Dec. 18, 1951 DISPENSER 'Fon EITHERv A MEASURED onU AN UNMEASURED QUANTITY QF GRANU- LAR MATERIAL Robert R. Lowry, Dayton, Ohio Application July 15, 1947, Serial No. 761,088

ls claims. (o1. 22a- 362) f 1 Y l v This invention relates to dispensers, and more particularly to a dispenser for powdered or granular materials such as condiments and the like. One" of the principal objects of the invention is to provide a dispenser for salt or the like of simple and inexpensive construction which is capable of use alternatively for dispensingy either a deiinite and measured quantity or an unmeasured amount of its contents. f

AAnother object is to provide a dispenser Ahaving a Ashaker top for dispensing an unmeasured amount of its contents and which .also has at the lower end thereof a mechanism for dis-v pensing an accurately measured quantity of the contents thereof.Y 1

Itis also an object of 'the invention to provide a dispenser for powdered or granular materials including a pair of relatively rotatable concentric barrels provided at their lower ends with cooperating parts. effective to dispense accurately measured quantities of -thecontents f the inner barrel upon relative vrotation of the two barrels. vAiurther object is to provide a dispenser for powdered or granular materials capable of, 'delivering accurately measured quantities of the contents thereof and formed of simple component parts which are adapted for ready forma-y tion of molded plastic or other readily fabricated suitable materials and which can thus be made in quantity at relatively low unit cost.

Other objects and advantages ofthe invention will be apparent from the following description, the vaccompanying drawings and the yappended claims.

'In the drawings: i

Fig. l is a view in side elevation of a dispenser in 'accordance with vthe invention;

Fig. 2 is a view in vertical section through the dispenser taken approximately as indicated by the line 2-2 of Fig. 5;

Fig. 3 is a top view of the dispenser;

Fig. 4 is a fragmentary view similar to Fig. 2 but showing the parts rotated to a position for discharging some of the contents of the dispenser through the lower end thereof., the view being taken vapproximately 4as indicated by the .line A-ll of Fig. 7'.; v

Figs. toA 8 inclusive are diagrammatic views taken .approximatelyv at the .level indicated by the line 5--5 of Fig. 4 and illustrating different :posi-tions nf the parts during relative rotation of t'henner fand fouter barrels;

Fig. 9.is a detail view in top plan ofrthermeasuiting fand dispensing member :of thel .device ,of

. 2 Y. Fig. 10 is another detail view of the dispensing and measuring member taken in section approximately as indicated by the line Ill-40 of Fig. 2'. In the. drawings, which illustrate a preferred embodiment of the present invention, Figs. 1 and 2 show; a dispensing device which includes a cylindrical; inner barrel or lcontainer l5 and a cylindrical outer barrel I6 each formed of molded plastic or other suitable material and mounted in concentric and rotatable relation. Barrel I6 is open at its lower end and provided with an enlarged base portion I1 for supporting the device in upright position, and the upper end of barrel I6 is turned inwardly to form a frustoconical shoulder i8. The inner barrel or container l5 is formed with an upper portion 20 of smaller diameter than the remainder thereof and an intermediate frusto-conical shoulder portion 2| adapted to abut the shoulder I8 and thus to limit upward movement of the container within barrel I6. f

The upper end of the-container portion 2D is provided with a cap which mayA be. a shaker cap 22 threaded thereon and having a multiplicity of holes 23 therethrough as shown in Fig. 3for dispensing' theV contents of' container i5 by shaking the device in the usualzway. The container portion is also knurled, fluted or otherwise treated as indicated at 25 to facilitate manual rotation -of the Ycontainer within barrel I6 and to facilitate tightening the top. If the barrel-is formed of a non-transparent material, it may be provided with a window 26 to permit ready .viewing of the contents of containerV I5 to determine when the container requires refilling. Fig. 1 shows an index mark 21 on the barrel which serves as a ready reminder that refilling is required'when the contents of `the container fall below the indicated level of the index mark.

The bottom of the container i5 is formed by a plate 3B which may be formed integrally with or cemented or otherwise secured tol the container in substantially rigid and non-rotatable relation. It will also be noted in Fig. 2 that the plate 30 is :spaced upwardly of the `lower end of the barrel, leaving an annular portion of the container extending downwardly therefrom, and this portion is relievedA at 3| tuform a relatively short flange or .skirt32 and a substantially longerlip 33 as indicated in Fig. 2 and Figs. 5 to 8. The plate 3i! has a generally segment shaped dischargeaperture '35 therein'of desired angular extent andincludng straight sides 3B and a. semi.- circular `central portion 3 1, Athese sides and the under surface of this member 40 is hollowed out at 4I to reduce its weight, and the upper part of member 40 ts within the downwardly hanging skirt and lip portions 32 and 33 of the container. The member 40 is slotted on its side at 42 to receive a key member 43 integrally formed with or otherwise secured within the lower end of barrel I6, and this key engages within the slot 42 to secureV the barrel and dispenser member together for rotation with respect to the container I5. Also, member 40 'has on its side a projection 44 which is adapted to abut the vertical edges of lip 33 on the container I5, as shown in Figs. 5 and 8, and thus to limit the extent of relative rotation of the container and barrel IS. lThe member 40 also includes a radially projecting peripheral rim or ilange 45 at its lower end, which is'- o f somewhat larger diameter than the outer diameter of container I5 and is adapted to be received within an annular seat 46 formed in the barrel I 6 as shown in Figs. 2 and 4. The axial distance between seat 46 and the lower surface of plate is less than the corresponding distancel between the upper surfaces of member and its flange portion 45,Y providing clearance as indicated at 41. The slot 42 may be advantageously formed in this flange as indicated in Figs. 2 and 10. l

The dispenser member 40 has formed in the upper surface thereof one or more pockets 50 which are adapted upon relative rotation of containerl5'and barrel I6 to be brought into and 'out of register with the discharge aperture 35 'in bottom plate 30 and thus to receive the contents of the container. Asshown in Fig. 5, there are four of these pockets 50 covering a ytotal angular extent slightly less than the angular ex tent of the aperture 35, and adjacent pockets 50 are separated by partition walls 5I. The bottom 52 of each pocket 50 slopes downwardly and outwardly from 'the center of member 40, the inner endA 53 of each pocket bottom 52 being spaced slightly outwardly of the semi-circular edge 31 of the aperture 35. The dimensions of each pocket 5D are so chosen and controlled in accordance with the purpose for which the vdispenser is'to be used as to provide an accurately measured volume for each pocket. For example, if the dispenser is to be used for salt, each pocket 5U may be formed to have a total volume of one-quarter teaspoon as measured between the sloping bottom 52, the plane of the upper surface of member 40, and the inner surface of lip 33 on the container. The flange portion 4'5 ofmember 4U has a discharge slot 55 cut therethrough at a position underlying the radially outer edges of pockets 50 as best seen in Figs. 2, 9 and l0. This slot 55 is formed to leave a surface 56 which extends radially beyond the periphery of the upper part of member 40 and 'slopes downwardly and inwardlytoward the center of member 40; An annular member 6U is threaded within the lower end of barrel yI 6 to retain the dispenser member 4D and the container I5 inprope'r positionl within the barrel.

The member 60 is formed to provide a discharge spout opening 6I at the bottom of the barrel, the inner part of the member 60 sloping downwardly and inwardly to form the spout as shown in Figs. 2 and 4.

It will be noted that the threaded portion of member 60 is relieved at 63 to vary the extent of movement of vthis member 60 into barrel I6 for adjustment purposes. In the initial adjustment of the parts, member $0 is tightened suciently to seat the upper surface of member 4D rmly against the bottomof plate 30 to preventl leakage ofthe contents of container I5 while still permitting relative movement of parts 30 and 40. If wear of the parts takes place in use, it can be taken up by further tightening of member B0, thus tightening member 4B against plate 30 and transmitting this tightening action from plate 30 to the upper end of container I5 to compensate for wear between shoulders I8 and 2 I. The clearance 41 between flange 45 and seat 46 and the relieved portion 63 of member 60 readily vpermit the axial movement of members 40 and 60 relative to barrel IE incident to this tightening action without binding of the parts.

Figs. 5 and 6 illustrate the operation of the dispenser. Fig. 5 shows the normal relative positions of the parts in which the .container I5 is 'at the limit of its'counterclockwise movement with respect to barrel IIv as determined by contact between projection 44 on member 40 and one vertical edge of lip 33 on the container. TheV projection 44`is solocated that in this position of the parts, all of the pockets 50 will be in registry with the discharge aperture 35 in plate 30 and thus in position to receive the contents of the container, but since the lip 33 is in overlapping rela-- tion with the radially outer sides of all the pookets 50, material filling the pockets will be retained therein. In this position of the parts, the device may be readily used like an ordinary shaker dispenser, and the bottom is kept tightly closed. f Fig. 6 shows the position of the parts following sulcient clockwise rotation vof the container to move the plate 30 to a position wherein the pocket 50a is completely out of register with aperture 35 but still in overlapping relation with lip 33. Thus no more of the contents of the container can pass into this pocket 55a, but no discharge has yet takenplace therefrom. It will also be noted thatthe sharp edge of the adjacent side 35 of the aperture 35 acts to shave surplus material from pocket 50a, thus leaving therein an accu@Y rately measured quantity of the contents of the container in accordance with the predetermined capacity of each pocket.

Fig. '7 shows the position of the parts following further rotation ofthe container from the position shownin Fig. 6 to an angular extent approximately equal to the angular extent of pocket 50a, and Fig. 4 illustrates the same position ofv the parts in vertical section. This rotation has resulted in moving the lip 33 out of overlapping relationwith pocket 50a., and the radially outer side of this pocket is therefore in registry with the relieved portion 3I of the skirt 32. This space 3I accordingly serves as a discharge slot through which the'contents of pocket 50a pass to the slot 55 in flange 45 andthence inwardly to the discharge spout 6I in member 60, as shown'i Fig; '4. It Will also be noted that in this position of the parts, the pocket 50h is substantially in the same relative position as pocket 50a in Fig. 6 and is thus cut off-.from the interior ofthe Ycontainer and ready for discharge upon further relative rotation acter describedfetor` dispensing either a measured or an unmeasured quantityof the contents thereof and comprising acylindrical containerl a cylindrical barrelVY encircling said container in vro-v tatable relation therewith, imeans forming a bottom for said container spaced above the lower end thereof and leaving a flange extending downwardly therefrom, said bottom having-an aperturetherethrough of limited angular extent, said iiange being relieved at a position angularly spaced from said aperture to form ,a discharge slot, a dispenser member mounted within said barrel and below saidV bottom for rotation with respect to said container, means forming at least one pocket Y of predetermined capacity in .the upper surface of said dispenser member, a member threaded within the lower end of said barrel to secure said container and dispenser member therein, 4means forming a discharge spout through said threaded member, and meansI connecting saiddispenser member to said'barr'el for rotation relative to said container to move each saidpocket between a position.V of registry with said aperture for receiving a portion of thecontents of said container and a position of registry with said discharge slot, each said pocket having the bottom thereof inclined outwardly and downwardly and terminating at a level spaced above the'lower edge of said ange but below the upper edge of said slot to eiect closingof said'pocket bysaid ilange when saidpocket is in registry with said aperture and to eiect discharge of.

the contents of saidpocket through said spout..

in registry with said when, said pocket is charge slot.

. 4. A kkdispenserfor dry materials of the .character described comprising 4a vgenerally cylindrical barrel adapted to stand in a substantially upright position, means at the upper end of said barrel forming an annular shoulder extending inwardly of said barrel, a cylindrical container rotatably positioned within'hsaid barrel, means" forming .a shoulder spaced lfrom the upper end c ofsaid container and adapted to engage said shoulder on said barrel to -limit upward movement of said container in said barrel, a portion of said container extending upwardly beyond said shoulder to form a handle for ready relative rotation of said container and barrel, means' atgthe4 lower `end of said barrel for retaining said container therein,'means forming a discharge outlet at the bottom of said container, and barrel, and means positioned within said barrel at the lower endv of ,said container responsiveto relative rotation of said containerfand barrel to deliver a predetermined measured quantity of the contents ofsaid container to said discharge outlet.

5. A dispenser :for dry-materials of the char-Q acter described comprising a generally cylin-"=l drical barrel adapted to stand in a substantiallyv upright position, means at the upper end of said barrel forming an annularrshoulder extending inwardly of said barrel, a cylindric'al'container rotatably ,positioned within said barrel, means forming a shoulder spaced from the upper end of 'said .container and adapted to engage said shoulder'on said barrel to' limit upward movemerit-ofsaid container in said barrel, a portion of*l said f container extending 'upwardly v'beyond saidshoulder to form a handlev for readyrelativevrotation of said container and barrel, means at the lower end of said'ba'rrel for retaining saidcontainer therein, means rorming a e discharge d' aperture in the bottomoi seid-contraenti a, dit" pensera-member mounted fw-ithin said y'barret for rotation c therewith with respect' to said Vcontainer, means forming said dispenser member a. Vplurality of pocketsofpredetermined capacity adapted upon relative rotation of saidbarrel and container to be brought into and out of ,register with` said discharge aperture,v and means preventing discharge of the contents of each of said pockets from said barrel when each said pocket is in registeriwith said discharge aperture.

6. A dispenser yfor dry materials of thecharacter described comprising a generally cylindrical barrel adapted tostand in a substantially upright position, means at the upper end of said barrel-forming an annular shoulderA extending inwardly` ofsaid barrel, a cylindrical container rotatably -positionedwithin-said barrel, means forming a shoulder spaced from the upper vend of said container and adapted to engage said shoulder onfsaid barrel to limit upward move--l mentof saidA vcontainer in said barrel, a portion of' said container extending vupwardly beyond said shoulder to form a handle for ready relative rotation of said container and barrel,v means at the lower end of said barrel for-retaining said container therein, means forming. .-a discharge rality oflpockets 'ofc Vpredetermined capacity adapted upon -relativef rotation `of said barrel and container to be brought into and out of register 'with said-discharge -aperture,emeans preventing discharge of the contents of A`eachfvof said pockets-from said barrel wheneach `said pocketvis in registry with said discharge apex',-l ture, means forming a discharge slot -at a position angularly spaced from said discharge aperture, and cooperating scale means carried by said shoulders to indicate vthe'extent of relative rotation of said barrel and containerfor movement ofeach of said pockets from-.a position of registry with said dischargel aperture to a position of registry with said dischargeslot.

7. A dispenser` for'dry materials of -the :character described comprisinga generallycylindrical barrel adapted to stand in a substantially upright position, means at the. upper end of `said barrel forming an annular shoulder extending inwardly of said barrel, a, cylindricalxcontainerl rotatably positioned within said barrel, means forming a shoulder spaced from the upper jend ofv said" container and adapted to engage said shoulder on said barrel to limit upwardfmovement of Hsaid container in said barrel,a portion of said container; extending Aupwardly-beyond said shoulder to form 'a handle for .ready relative rotation of said container and barrel, ,means forming aV bottomfor' said container having Va discharge aperture therein, a dispenser member mounted within `said barrel for rotation 4therewith with respect to said containerand adapted in response tosuch rotation to receive a pre-l determined measured quantity of the contents for abutting the upper portion of said dispenser member to maintain said flange portion in spaced relation with said overlying shoulder providing clearance for said dispenser member and threaded member axially of said barrel for adjustment of said parts to take up Wear.

8. A portable dispenser for dry materials comprising a barrel adapted to stand in a substantally upright position, a container mounted for rotation Within said barrel and extending up- Wardly beyond the top thereof to provide a handle for eiecting relative rotation of said container and barrel, means Within said barrel at the bottom of said container for measuring a predetermined quantity of said contents, said is barrel extending below said bottom of said container for receiving said measuring means, a discharge opening in the bottom of said container, a discharge outlet from said barrel positioned in angularly spaced relation with said discharge opening, said measuring means including a pocket adapted for selective registry with said opening or said outlet, and means operatively 10 connecting said measuring means to said barrel for rotation therewith between apostion of registry of said pocket with said opening to receive a measured quantity of said contents from said container and a position of registry with said outlet for discharging said measured quantity of said contents through said outlet.

ROBERT R. LOWRY.

n REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 909,657 Patterson Jan. 12, 1909 1,204,111 Anderson Nov. 7, 1916 1,719,865 Albright July 9, 1929 1,959,874 Mills May 22, 1934 2,002,039 McPhee May 21, 1935 2,032,763 Mostkoff Mar. 3, 1936 2,072,938 Berg Mar. 9, 1937 2,170,955 Thorn Aug. 29, 1939 

